Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Dereck Rodriguez will go to the minors to figure it out.
The struggling starter turned long reliever, who lost his rotation spot in May, has lost his big-league roster spot (again) in late June. The Giants optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday and recalled utility man Austin Slater.
Rodriguez, who starred as a rookie last season, hit the sophomore wall and was particularly bad Sunday, when he entered in mop-up duty and allowed three runs on four hits and a walk while recording two outs against the Diamondbacks. It upped his ERA to 5.27, and the bullpen long-man had been reduced to games whose outcomes had been decided.
This will be the season debut for Slater, who has bounced between Sacramento and San Francisco the last two seasons. He’s increased his versatility this season and has played just about everywhere, each outfield position and first, second and third. He had a .910 OPS in 25 games this month.